Curtain having adjacent panel edges concealed by ornamental stitching



Oct. 6, 1964 M. woLKowrrz 3,151,588

CURTAIN HAVING ADJACENT PANEL EDGES CONCEALED BY ORNAMENTAL STITCHING Filed MaICh l, 1953 INVENTOR.

M @K/.U'Z

United States Patent O 3,151,583 CURTAIN HAVNG ABEACENT PANEL EDGES CGNCEALE) BY GRNAMENTAL S'l'l'lm'@ Max Wollrowitz, 29 Clinton St., New York, Filed Mar. l, 196,3, Ser. No. 262,66

9 Claims. (l. .1n-427) This invention relates to a curtain of novel construction having a number of advantages over conventional constructions.

ln the present decor of rooms it is quite common nowadays to utilize large picture windows of widths up to 100 inches.

The decor also requires, for privacy, that some sort of a curtain be interposed over the window so as to avoid unauthorized View of the interior of the room when not desired.

Unfortunately fabric widths are limited to the width of the loom which generally does not exceed 48 inches so that the manufacture of curtains of widths lmger than 48 inches requires the joining of a number of fabric panels in horizontally alined relationship. The necessary seam which is then placed within the body of the curtain to produce the necessary width is deemed undesirable by a number of interior decorators since it calls attention to the fact that fabric of suthcient width could not be secured and thus causes the curtain to have a cheap look.

lf the conventional ornamental seam is utilized to conceal the junction the viewer of the curtain is not fooled. The ornamental seam stands out like the proverbial sore thumb.

I have now produced a construction which will permit the manufacture of curtains of unlimited width from the usual widths of fabric which are available for this purpose (which widths generally do not exceed 43 inches).

I perform this feat by placing a plurality of panels with the edge portions thereof in abutting relationship with one another. I then cause the abutting edge portions to be relatively ti Uhtly pleated and dispose a longitudinally extending zig-zag thread between adjacent panels within the abutting edge portion. I then cause a row of substantially horizontal stitching to pass through the body portion. ri`his row extends longitudinally along the edge portions of one of the panels and also secures the zig-zag thread into position. The junction between the adjacent panels is thus concealed by an ornamental area. Above and below this area I then construct other portions which also appear to be ornmnental areas. The other areas, however, are not junctions between adjacent panels but are areas within a single panel. As a result the actual junction area between adjacent panels is so masked by the other areas that the viewer of the curtain completely forgets the junction area and believes that the curtain is made in one piece.

As further illustrated in this specification the preferred modification of this invention also contains additional features which improves the operation thereof. It is pointed out, however, that the specific modifications shown in the foregoing specilication are for illustrative purposes and for purposes of example only. Various changes and modifications may obviously be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the instant invention must be found by a perusal of the appended claims.

The invention will be further described by reference to the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.

FlG. l is a fragmentary front perspective view of a curtain made in accordance with this invention.

EEG. 2 is an enlarged detail fragmentary perspective view showing the means used to secure a fastener along the top edge portion of the curtain.

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FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail perspective View of a side portion of the curtain shown in FIG. l with an edge turned up showing some detail of a pleated intermediate portion within a single panel and the additional ornamentation Which may be employed along the sides thereof. This figure also shows the stitching which may be employed to secure the ornamental edge portion to the fabric panels.

PEG. 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary detail View showing the junction portion between adjacent panels and related structure.

FEG. 5 is a detail fragmentary cross-sectional view of the portion of the curtain shown in FIG. 4 taken along lines S-S of FG. 4

6 is a fragmentary greatly enlarged side view, partly in section, showing the means of attachment of the projecting fringe members of the side and bottom portions of the curtain of this invention.

A detailed description of the above invention which represents the best mode known to the inventor of taking advantage or" the same is now set forth. The detailed description makes specic reference to the drawings.

The curtain ll of this invention is formed with a body portion which is composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially parallel adjacent panels i3 and le. Panels 13 and i4 are preferably made of relatively loosely pleated material. Each of panels 13 and if; are formed with abutting edge portions 15 and 16. A butting edge portions l5 and 15 are formed with a plurality of relatively tight pleats i7 which are substantially vertically disposed. A first plurality of longitudinally extending zig-zag threads i8 are disposed between adjacent abutting edge portions l5 and 16 of adjacent panels i3 and 14. A rst plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal stitching i9 pass through the body portion and extend longitudinally along the abutting edge portions of adjacent panels. Stitching l@ secures threads .iii in position.

A second plurclity of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads E@ are vertically spaced from threads l and are secured in position by a second plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal stitching 2l which pass through the body portion of the panels. Each row of stitching 21 secures a row of zig-zag thread 2li into position.

Panels 13 and i4 also include a plurality of longituinally extending intermediate portions 22. Portions 22 resemble the areas included by abutting edge portions i5 and le but are included within a single panel. Each of portions 222 are formed into a plurality of substantially vertical intermediate pleats 23. A third plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads 24 are located within each intermediate portion Z2 and are secured in position by a third plurality of substantially longitudinally extending horizontal stitching 2S which also pass through the body portion of said panels. A fourth plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads 26a are vertically spaced from threads 24 and are secured into position by a fourth plurality of substantially horizontal longitudinally extending stitching 2e which also pass through the body portion of said panels.

An ornamental edge portion 27 is secured to the side and bottom edges of curtain 1l either by means of addivtional stitching 3S or by being adhesively disposed thereupon. A plurality of projecting fringes 28 are disposed along the said edge portions and are secured thereto by stitching 29 (FIG. 6). The top edge 3u of curtain lll is formed with a rearwardly overhanging portion 3l (FIG. 4) and a plurality of forwardly extending pleated portions 32. A hook 33 (FlG. 4) is disposed behind portion 3l and"v\'ithin the`rear portion of portions 32.

e eden-ses With the foregoing speciiic description the operationY thereof may now be explained.

The curtain 11 is made to fit the width and length of the window to which it is to obscure and is nung by hooks 33 upon a conventional curtain rod. The viewer of the curtain believes that portions 22 and abutting portions 15 and 16 are merely ornamentation. Since the construc- Y tion of portions 22 and portions lS-ld appear to be the t same,v even including the zig-zag threads thereupon, the

Vmethodsn t I'claim;

1. A curtain comprising a body portion formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially parallel adjacent Vrelatively loosely pleated panels, each of said panels having a relatively tightly pleated edge portion thereupon abutting the edge portion of the adjacent panel, a longitudinally extending zig-zag thread disposed between adjacent panels securing said panels toV one naother and located within said abutting pleated edge portions, a row of substantially horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, extending longitudinally along an edge portion of each of'said panels, and securing said zig-zag thread in position, said abutting pleated edge portions and said zig-zag threadV concealing the junction between adjacent panels.

2. A curtain comprising a body portion formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially parallel adjacent relatively loosely pleated panels, each of said panels having a substantially vertically relatively tightly pleated edge portion thereupon abutting the edge portion Y of the adjacent panel, a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads disposed between adjacent panels securing said panels to one another and located within said abutting pleated edge portions, a

plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantiallyV horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, ex-

Y tending longitudinally along the abutting edge portions of each adjacent panel land securing said zig-zag thread in position, Vsaid abutting pleated edge portions and said zig-zag threads concealing the junction between adjacent panels.

- 3. A curtain comprising a body portion formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially parallel adjacent relatively loosely pleated panels, each of said panels having a substantially vertically relatively'tigntly pleated edge portion thereupon abutting the edge portion of the adjacent panel; a iirst plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads disposed between adjacent panels securing said panels to one another and located within said abutting pleated edge portions, aV second plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extendingzig-zag threads vertically spaced from said first-named zig-zag threads, a tirst plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantiallyhorizontal stitching passing through said body portion, extending longitudinally along the abuttnig edge portions of each V'adjacent panel and securing said iirst zig-zag threads in tightly pleated edge portion thereupon abutting the edge portion of the adjacent panel and a second substantially vertically relatively tightly pleated longitudinally extending intermediate portion spaced from an edge portion thereof; a tirst plurality of substantially parallel 1ongitudinally extending zig-zag threads-disposed between ad- Y jacent panels securing said panels to one another and located within said abutting pleated edge portions, a second plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads vertically spaced from said first named zig-zag threads, a first plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, vextending longitudinally along t the abutting edge portions of each adjacent panel and securing said iirst Zig-zag threads in position, a second plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, each second row of stitching securing a second zig-zag thread into position, a third plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads located within a vertically pleated intermediate portion of each of said panels and a third plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, each third row of stitching securing a third zig-zag thread into position, said abutting pleated edge portionsV and zig-zag threads concealingrthe junction between adjacent panels.`

5. A curtainV comprising a body portion formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially parallel relatively loosely pleated adjacent panels, each of said panels having a tirst substantially vertically relatively tightly pleated edge portion thereupon abutting the edge dinally extending zig-zag threads disposed between ad-Y jacent panels securing said panels to one another and t located Within said abutting ypleated edge portions, a' second plurality of substantiallyrparallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads vertically spaced from said rst named zig-zag threads, a first plurality of substantiallyY parallel rows of substantially horizontal stitching ,passing through said body portion, extending longitudinally along said abutting edge portions of adjacent panels, and securing said first zig-zag threads in position, a second plurality of substantially parallel rows ofsubstantiallyhorizontal stitching passing through said bodyV portion, each second row of stitching securing a second zig-zag thread into position, a third plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads Vlocated within a vertically pleated intermediate portion of each of said panels and a third plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, each third row of stitching securing a third zig-zag thread into position, said abutting pleated edge portions and zigzag threads concealing the junction between adjacent panels, said curtain also having ornamental bottorn and side edge portions, a plurality of projecting fringes secured to said bottom and side edge portions, a fastener securing portion Valong the top edge portion thereof and a plurality of fasteners secured to said fastener securing portion.

6. A curtain comprising a body portion formed with a pluralityof longitudinally extending substantially parallel relatively loosely pleated adjacent panels, each of said panels having a rst substantially vertically relatively tightly pleated edge portion thereupon abutting the edge portion of the adjacent panel and a second substantially vertically relatively tightly pleated longitudinally extending relatively tightly vertically pleated intermediate portion spaced from an edge portion thereof, said intermediate portion resembling said juxtaposed pleated edge portions; a flrst'plurality of substantially parallellongitudinally extending zig-zag threads disposed between adjacent panels securing said panels to one another and located within said abutting pleated edge portions, a second plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads vertically spaced from said first named zig-zag threads, a first plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, extending longitudinally along said abutting edge portions of adjacent panels, and securing said first-named zig-zag threads in position, a second plurality of substantially horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, each second row of stitching securing a second zig-zag thread into position, a third plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads located within a vertically pleated intermediate portion of each of said panels, a third plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal longitudinally extending stitching passing through said body portion, each third row of stitching securing a third zig-zag thread into position, a fourth plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads vertically spaced from said third plurality of zig-zag threads and also located within a vertically pleated intermediate portion of each of said panels, a fourth plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal longitudinally extending stitching passing through said body portion, each fourth row of stitching securing a fourth zig-zag thread into position, said abutting pleated edge portions and first and second plurality of zig-zag threads concealing the junction between adjacent panels, said third and fourth plurality of zig-zag threads and said intermediate portions drawing the viewers attention away from said junction, said third and fourth plurality of zig-zag threads resembling said first and second plurality of zig-zag threads.

7. A curtain comprising a body portion formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially parallel relatively loosely pleated adjacent panels, each of said panels having a rst substantially vertically relatively tightly pleated edge portion thereupon abutting the edge portion of the adjacent panel and a second substantially vertically relatively tightly pleated longitudinally extending intermediate portion spaced from an edge portion thereof, said intermediate portion resembling said juxtaposed pleated edge portions; a first plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads disposed between adjacent panels securing said panels to one another and located within said abutting pleated edge portions, a second plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads vertically spaced from said rst named zig-zag threads, a first plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, extending longitudinally along said abutting edge portions of adjacent panels, and securing said first-named zig-zag threads in position, a second plurality of substantially horizontal stitching passing through said body portion, each second row of stitching securing a second zig-zag thread into position, a third plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads located within a vertically pleated intermediate portion of each of said panels, a third plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal longitudinally extending stitching passing through said body portion, each third row or" stitching securing a third zig-zag thread into position, a fourth plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending zig-zag threads vertically spaced from said third plurality of zig-zag threads and also located within a vertically pleated intermediate portion of each of said panels, a fourth plurality of substantially parallel rows of substantially horizontal longitudinally extending stitching passing through said body portion, each fourth row of stitching securing a fourth zig-zag thread into position, said third and fourth zig-zag threads resembling said first and second zig-zag threads, said abutting pleated edge portions and said first and second plurality of zigzag threads concealing the junction between adjacent panels, said third and fourth plurality of zig-zag threads and said intermediate portions drawing the viewers attention away from said junction between panels, said curtain also having ornamental bottom and side edge portions, a plurality of projecting fringes secured to said bottom and side edge portions, a fastener securing portion along the top edge portion thereof and a plurality of fasteners secured to said fastener securing portion.

8. A curtain comprising a body portion formed with a plurality of outwardly extending relatively loosely pleated vertically adjacent panels secured to one another, each of said panels having a relatively tightly vertically pleated horizontal edge portion thereupon abutting and in registration with the edge portion of the adjacent panel, each of said panels also having a horizontally extending relatively tightly pleated intermediate portion vertically spaced from and resembling the juxtaposed edge portions of said panels; a first plurality of ornamental threads within and extending between said juxtaposed edge portions of adjacent panels and securing said adjacent panels to one another, and a second plurality of ornamental threads resembling said first plurality of said threads, means securing said ornamental threads to said panels, said abutting edge portions and first ornamental threads concealing the junction between adjacent panels and said intermediate portion and second ornamental threads drawing the viewers attention away from said juxtaposed edge portions of said panels.

9. A curtain comprising a body portion formed with a plurality of outwardly extending relatively loosely pleated vertically adjacent panels secured to one another, each of said panels having a relatively tightly vertically pleated horizontal edge portion thereupon abutting and in registration with the edge portion of the adjacent panel, each of said panels also having a horizontally extending relatively tightly pleated intermediate portion vertically spaced from and resembling the juxtaposed edge portions of said panels; a rst plurality of zig-zag threads within and extending between said juxtaposed edge portions of adjacent panels and securing said adjacent panels to one another, and a second plurality of zig-zag threads resembling said rst plurality of such threads, means securing said zig-zag threads to said panels, said abutting edge portions and first zig-zag threads concealing the junction between adjacent panels and said intermediate portion and second zig-zag threads drawing the viewer-s attention away from said juxtaposed edge portions of said panels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 844,320 Barton Feb. 19, 1907 1,185,837 Schwartz June 6, 1916 1,334,650 De Voe Mar. 23, 1920 2,009,750 Smith July 30, 1935 2,115,593 Strube Apr. 26, 1938 2,273,426 Washburn Feb. 17, 1942 2,500,074 Hill Mar. 7, 1950 2,605,830 Bixer Aug. 5, 1952 2,672,617 Back Mar'. 23, 1954 

1. A CURTAIN COMPRISING A BODY PORTION FORMED WITH A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL ADJACENT RELATIVELY LOOSELY PLEATED PANELS, EACH OF SAID PANELS HAVING A RELATIVELY TIGHTLY PLEATED EDGE PORTION THEREUPON ABUTTING THE EDGE PORTION OF THE ADJACENT PANEL, A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING ZIG-ZAG THREAD DISPOSED BETWEEN ADJACENT PANELS SECURING SAID PANELS TO ONE NAOTHER AND LOCATED WITHIN SAID ABUTTING PLEATED EDGE PORTIONS, A ROW OF SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL STITCHING PASSING THROUGH SAID BODY PORTION, EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ALONG AN EDGE PORTION OF EACH OF SAID PANELS, AND SECURING SAID ZIG-ZAG THREAD IN POSITION, SAID ABUTTING PLEATED EDGE PORTIONS AND SAID ZIG-ZAG THREAD CONCEALING THE JUNCTION BETWEEN ADJACENT PANELS. 